Corporate philanthropy usually involves turning over sums that can total into the millions, but there’s a growing trend to get more hands on – to offer pro bono services, something long associated only with law firms.

That might mean anything from sending employees to assist non-profits with marketing to having accountants teach financial literacy skills to families. On Oct. 1, several local companies will be honored for their local pro bono work by A Billion and Change, a national organization spearheading a campaign to promote the concept.

“Employees feel so good about the firm and what they are doing. It’s a wonderful complement to cash contributions,” said Michelle Kerrick, managing partner for accounting firm Deloitte in Los Angeles.

Deloitte, which has provided workers to help non-profits write business plans, is being honored along with Mattel Inc. of Torrance and the local offices of Bank of America, Pimco and Experian PLC, among others.

The Envisioning the Future of Corporate Service event will start at 1:30 p.m. at the California Endowment at 1000 N. Alameda St.

– Joel Russell